Taxonomy of European Damaeidae (Acari, Oribatida) XI. European species of the genus Piribelba Miko 2021: redescriptions of P. rossica (Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1957) and P. piriformis (Mihel?i?, 1964) using morphology and DNA sequence data

Two closely related species of the genus Piribelba (Oribatida, Damaeidae) are redescribed based on morphology of adults and developmental instars. Redescription of P. rossica (Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1957) is based on specimens collected in Russia, including specimens identified by Bulanova-Zachvatkina; redescription of P. piriformis (Mihelcic, 1964) is based on specimens collected in Europe, including Mihelcic's types. COX1 sequence barcoding of P. piriformis and P. rossica indicated that they are distinct species, having 12.0% uncorrected p-distances and 13.3% Kimura two-parameter distances (K2P). Based on the morphological and genetical differences, the synonymy of P. rossica and P. piriformis is rejected. A key to known species of Piribelba is provided.

Automated summary

Two closely related species of the genus Piribelba were redescribed based on morphology and genetic analysis. The COX1 sequence barcoding indicated that P. piriformis and P. rossica are distinct species, rejecting their synonymy.